Bracelet with clock and remote key fob

ABSTRACT

A fashionable bracelet operates as a remote car key fob and a clock. The bracelet provides multiple buttons allowing a user to operate the bracelet to control access to the vehicle coupled to the bracelet. The bracelet receives voice commands to operate the vehicle. Moreover, the bracelet incorporates a GPS subsystem for auto-piloting the vehicle to the location of the user. The bracelet further incorporates multiple LEDs to provide operational feedback to the user. The clock can be turned on and off using one of the buttons. The wireless key fob functions and the clock are controlled by a microcontroller disposed within the bracelet. The bracelet includes a battery to provide power to various components of the bracelet. The battery is operatively coupled to a solar panel. The bracelet is conveniently and securely attached to the wrist of the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/867,214, entitled, “BRACELET WITH CLOCK AND REMOTE KEY FOB,” filedSep. 28, 2015, which claims the benefit and priority of U.S. PatentApplication No. 62/170,739, entitled “BRACELET WITH CLOCK AND REMOTE KEYFOB,” filed Jun. 4, 2015 and which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention generally relates to remote key fobs forcontrolling access to vehicles, and more particularly relates to remotevehicle key fobs in the form of a bracelet. More particularly still, thepresent disclosure relates to bracelets including clocks and remote keyfobs for controlling entry to and operating vehicles with autopilotfeatures.

DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND

Remote key fobs (also known as wireless key fobs) allow their users tocontrol access to the users' vehicles. Wireless key fobs for vehiclesare widely available for new vehicles. A remote key fob usually includesa number of buttons, such as a door lock button, a door unlock button, atrunk button and a panic button. As a remote keyless entry device, theremote key fob includes a wireless transceiver for communicating with acorresponding vehicle to, for example, unlock a door, lock the door,open the trunk or close the trunk of the vehicle in response tooperation by the user on the buttons of the key fob. The communicationlink between the wireless key fob and the vehicle is, for example, aradio frequency (“RF”) link. The RF link falls into a particularfrequency band, such as 125 kHz or 13.56 MHz.

The remote key fob is preprogrammed with a key fob device ID (meaningidentifier) and implements authentication protocols. The authenticationprotocol includes an encryption stage for authorizing the issue of thekey fob commands to the vehicle. Accordingly, the wireless key fob isidentified by the vehicle and vice versa before any operation on thevehicle is performed using the remote key fob. The remote key fob canalso communicate with an engine controller of the vehicle using, forexample, a Near Field Communication (“NFC”) transponder.

Remote car key fobs have been made compact and are powered by coinbatteries. For example, some wireless key fobs are less than two inchesin length, about one inch in width and less than one third inch inthickness. A compact wireless remote key fob is usually attached to akey chain along with other keys of the user of the key fob. Thecollection of keys and other apparatuses attached to the key chain(collectively referred to herein as key chain) is usually heavy andtakes more space. The key chain is thus inconvenient to carry around onthe body of the user.

In addition, the key chain can be easily lost by the user, stolen orlocked inside his/her vehicle. Such events are burdensome to the user'slife. In addition, the key chain and the remote key fob fail to provideother useful functions to the user, such as current time and date,reminder of open trunk, reminder of auto-start over certain amount oftime, etc. Furthermore, the key chain does not provide an aestheticalelement to the user.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new apparatus that provides thefunctionality of a remote key fob, is convenient to carry around andprevents loss and theft. There is a further need for the new device toprovide a time function, a temperature, notifications and aestheticaleffect.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSED SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS

Accordingly, it is an object of this disclosure to provide a braceletsupporting the functionality of a remote key fob for a vehicle.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatis waterproof.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatis water resistant.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob forcontrolling access to a vehicle within certain distance from thevehicle.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob withan auto-start button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob withan auto-start button and an LED associated with the auto-start button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatnotifies the user after the vehicle has auto-started over apredetermined amount of time.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatnotifies the user after the vehicle has auto-started over apredetermined amount of time using vibration or LEDs.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha lock button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha lock button and an LED associated with the lock button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob withan unlock button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob withan unlock button and an LED associated with the unlock button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatnotifies the user after the vehicle has been left un-locked after theuser is away from the vehicle over a certain radius.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha panic button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha panic button and an LED associated with the panic button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatvibrates after a panic button has been pressed.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha trunk button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha trunk button and an LED associated with the trunk button.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob thatvibrates when a trunk button has been pressed and the trunk has beenopen for a certain amount of time.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha clock.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha digital clock.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha digital clock that can be turned off.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha digital clock and a time button to light up the clock.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha digital clock and a time button to turn off and on the clock.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha logo imprinted.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha logo of a vehicle manufacturer imprinted.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob incolor.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob withfashion elements.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha GPS subsystem.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a bracelet key fob witha GPS subsystem for controlling a vehicle to autopilot to the locationof the bracelet key fob.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a voice input system.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a voice input systemthat recognizes operation commands from voice input.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide a voice input systemthat takes voice input from car phone and system.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide an error system in thebracelet key fob that mini-vibrations will go off and the LED stays red.

Other advantages of this disclosure will be clear to a person ofordinary skill in the art. It should be understood, however, that asystem or method could practice the disclosure while not achieving allof the enumerated advantages, and that the protected disclosure isdefined by the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally speaking, pursuant to the various embodiments, the presentdisclosure provides a bracelet providing functions of a remote key foband a clock. The bracelet key fob includes a microcontroller, atransceiver, a set of buttons, a set of LEDs associated with the set ofbuttons, a battery, a solar panel and a clock with a display and a backlight. Furthermore, the bracelet incorporates a GPS subsystem providingthe location of the user to the vehicle. The bracelet directs thevehicle to self-drive to the physical location of the user. Operatingthe buttons causes the microcontroller to sends commands to the vehiclecoupled to the bracelet over the transceiver. The commands can be a lockcommand, an unlock command, a panic message, an open-truck command, etc.The clock is powered by a battery, or a rechargeable battery coupled tothe solar panel. The bracelet further incorporates fashion elements. Inaddition, the operational commands of the bracelet can be enteredthrough voice input. The voice input includes a name of the bracelet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this disclosure will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and themanner in which it may be made and used, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bracelet key fob with a clock inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a bracelet key fob in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram of a clock in bracelet key fob in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a bracelet key fob with a clock inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a control system within abracelet key fob in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the process by which abracelet key fob controls a vehicle to drive to the physical location ofthe bracelet in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a process by which a bracelet key fobreceives a voice command and operates a vehicle based on the voicecommand in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a bracelet key fob with a clock inaccordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a bracelet key fob with a clock in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure.

A person of ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that elements ofthe figures above are illustrated for simplicity and clarity, and arenot necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of some elements in thefigures may have been exaggerated relative to other elements to helpunderstanding of the present teachings. Furthermore, a particular orderin which certain elements, parts, components, modules, steps, actions,events and/or processes are described or illustrated may not be actuallyrequired. A person of ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that,for the purpose of simplicity and clarity of illustration, some commonlyknown and well-understood elements that are useful and/or necessary in acommercially feasible embodiment may not be depicted in order to providea clear view of various embodiments in accordance with the presentteachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the Figures and to FIG. 1 in particular, a front perspectiveview of a bracelet car key fob with a clock is shown and generallyindicated at 100. The bracelet 100 includes a body 102, a clock 104, asolar panel 106, a set of buttons 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 and 132 foroperating the bracelet 100. The buttons 122-132 are placed next to eachother along the perimeter of the bracelet 100. The linear orientation ofthe buttons 122-132 provides numerous benefits, such as ease ofoperation. The body 102 includes a portion that houses the clock 104,the solar panel 106 and the buttons 122-132, and the other portion 150for attaching the bracelet to a user. In one implementation, the housingportion is disposed between the buttons 122-132. In other words, thehousing is substantially linear with the buttons 122-132 along theperimeter of the bracelet 100.

A block diagram of a control system of the bracelet 100 shown in FIG. 2and generally indicated at 200. The bracelet 100 includesmicrocontroller 202, a RF transceiver 206 for communicating with avehicle over a radio frequency link, a set of input/output (“I/O”) ports208 for operatively coupling the buttons 122-132 to the microcontroller202, a display 210 for displaying time and/or other types ofinformation, a back light 212, the solar panel 106, and a set of LightEmitting Devices (“LEDs”) 214, 216, 218, 220 and 222. In addition, thebracelet 100 includes a battery 204 providing power to themicrocontroller 202, the LEDs 214-222, the RF transceiver 206, the backlight 212 and the display 210. In one implementation, the battery 204 isa rechargeable battery that is operatively coupled to the solar panel106. The solar panel 106 receives light and converts light intoelectricity stored in the battery 204. In an alternate embodiment, thesolar panel 106 is not included. Instead, the battery 204 is, forexample, a coin battery that is not rechargeable.

Computer programs (such as firmware and/or application layer software)are executed by the microcontroller 202 to implement various functionsof the bracelet 100. For example, a computer program running on themicrocontroller 202 controls the operation of the clock 104. As anadditional example, another computer program running on themicrocontroller 202 send data to and receive data from the vehicle (notshown) over the RF transceiver 206. The data includes, for example, acommand to unlock or lock the front door on the driver side of thevehicle.

The computer programs are further illustrated by reference to FIG. 5. Acomputer program 502 runs on the microcontroller 202. In oneimplementation, an operating system layer 504 is disposed between thecomputer program 502 layer and the microcontroller 202. The operatingsystem 504 assists in managing the resources of the microcontroller 202and other components of the control system 200 provided by themicrocontroller 202, and provides access interfaces to softwareapplications, such as the computer program 502.

Turning back to FIG. 2, when the button 122 is pressed by the user, themicrocontroller 202 detects that the button 122 has been pressed. Then,the microcontroller 202 sends an auto-start command to the vehicle viathe RF transceiver 206. The auto-start message instructs the vehicle'sengine controller to start the engine. To provide feedback to the userwhen the button 122 is pressed, the LED 214 is turned on in green color.The LED 214 is turned off when the button 122 is released. Themicrocontroller 202 controls the operation of the LED 214 and otherLEDs.

The LED 214 is disposed beneath the button 122. Similarly, the LEDs216-222 are disposed beneath the buttons 124-126, 130-132 respectively.Furthermore, the LEDs 214-222, the RF transceiver 206, the I/O ports208, the back light 212, the microcontroller 202 and the battery 204 aredisposed within a cavity of the body 102.

When the button 124 is pressed, the microcontroller 202 is notified ofthe state change of the button 124. The microcontroller 202 then turnson the LED 216 in red color, and sends a command using the RFtransceiver 206 to the vehicle to lock the doors of the vehicle. Whenthe button 124 is released, the LED 216 is then turned off.

When the button 126 is pressed, the microcontroller 202 is notified ofthe state change of the button 126. The microcontroller 202 then turnson the LED 218 in green color, and sends a command using the RFtransceiver 206 to the vehicle to unlock one or more doors of thevehicle. When the button 126 is released, the LED 218 is then turnedoff.

When the button 130 is pressed and held down for a predetermined amountof time (such as three seconds), the microcontroller 202 then turns onthe LED 220 in red color, and sends a panic command using the RFtransceiver 206 to the vehicle to produce a loud and alarming sound. Thealarming sound indicates that the user is panic now, and raises theattention of surrounding people, such as police officers. Thepredetermined amount of time prevents false alarm when the button 130 isaccidently pressed. When the button 130 is released, the microcontroller202 also sends a message to the vehicle to stop generating the alarmingsound.

When the button 132 is pressed, the microcontroller 202 turns on the LED222 in green color, and sends a command using the RF transceiver 206 tothe vehicle to open the trunk of the vehicle. The LED 222 is turned offwhen the button 132 is released.

The electronic clock 104 displays a time 140 and a date 142(collectively referred to herein as time) on the display 210, such as arectangular liquid crystal display (“LCD”). When the button 128 pressed,a back light is turned on to make the time display more visible. In sucha case, the display 210 and the clock 104 are each said to have beenlightened up. When the button 128 is released from its pressed-downposition, the back light 212 is turned off. In certain situations, it isdesirable to turn off the clock 104. For example, turning off the clock104 makes the bracelet 100 more aesthetically appealing. To do so, auser of the bracelet 100 presses the button 128 and holds it down for apredetermined amount of time (such as three seconds). The clock 104 isthen turned off. In other words, the time 140-142 is no longer displayedon the screen. When the clock 104 is off, pressing the button 128 againcauses the clock 104 to be turned on. The clock 104 and its states arecontrolled by the microcontroller 202. The state change of the clock 104is further illustrated by reference to FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, a state diagram of the clock 104 is shown. At 302,the clock 104 is on and displays the time 140-142. However, at the state302, the back light 212 is off. When the time button 128 is pressed asindicated at 312, the state of the clock 104 switches to the state 304.At the state 304, the clock 104 is on and displays the time 142-144. Inaddition, at the state 304, the back light 212 is on. When the button128 is held down for a predetermined amount of time (such as threeseconds) as indicated at 314, the clock 104 is switched to the off state306. The clock 104 switches from the off state 306 to the state 302 whenthe time button 128 is pressed again.

When the bracelet 100 is put on by the user, the user guides her handthrough the opening formed by the body 102. The body 102 then encirclesaround the wrist area of the user's arm. The strap 150 is made of, forexample, elastic material (such as rubber). The elasticity of thematerial allows the user's hand to penetrate through the center ring ofthe body 102. The bigger size of the user's hand than the center openingof the body 102 prevents the bracelet 100 from falling off the user'shand.

In a different implementation, the strap 150 is not a closed band.Instead, the strap 150 includes two strap parts. The first strap partincorporates a case back, a buckle tongue and a set of free loops. Thesecond strap part incorporates a set of adjustment holes for receivingthe buckle tongue when the second strap is attached to the first strappart through the case back. In yet another different implementation, thestrap 150 is made of metal material in the shape of a cuff that is notclosed.

The body 102 is constructed in aesthetical designs. For example, thestrap 150 is imprinted with different artistic patterns and/or colors,such as the logo of the manufacturer of the vehicle associated with thebracelet 100. As an additional example, the strap 150 is decorated withartistic ornaments. In such a case, when the body 102 is turned aroundsuch that the clock 104 faces toward the side of the body of the user,the strap 150 portion of the bracelet 100 faces away from the user.Accordingly, the bracelet 100 presents itself as a fashion item, andprovides a decorative function.

Referring to FIG. 4, a rear perspective view of the bracelet 100 isshown. On the outside surface of the strap 150, a fashion design 402 isprovided. The fashion design 402 includes a diamond. Different fashiondesigns can be incorporated into the bracelet 100.

The vehicle key fob 100 is worn on a wrist of the user. In other words,it is attached to the body of the user as an extremely convenientornamental accessory. Accordingly, it prevents loss and theft. Forexample, the user may leave her entire key chain inside her car whileshe is outside the vehicle and carries the bracelet 100 on her person.In such a case, she does not have to carry the entire key chain in herpocket or bag. Not carrying the key chain around greatly reduces thepossibility of loss or theft of the key chain. In addition, theartistically decorated bracelet 100 functions as a fashion item.

The bracelet 100 is more durable than other types of clocks, such asApple Watch offered by Apple, Inc. In addition, the bracelet 100 is notconnected to the Internet. Accordingly, it is immune to Internet basedhacking attacks. In other words, the bracelet 100 is not exposed tocyber threats.

In addition, the bracelet 100 allows the user to access her vehiclewithout pressing any button on the bracelet 100. For example, when theuser carrying the bracelet 100 on her person stands next to the vehicle,the bracelet 100 is within a very close proximity of the vehicle. Themicrocontroller 202 then communicates with a controller component (suchas an engine controller or accessory controller) of the vehicle via thetransceiver 206. In such a case, operating a door handle of the vehicleby the user allows the user to open the corresponding door of thevehicle. For example, the user can press a button on the door handle orpulls the door handle twice to cause the door open. Once the user isinside the vehicle with the bracelet 100, pressing a push-to-startbutton of the vehicle causes the vehicle to start.

In a further implementation, the bracelet 100 incorporates a vibrator232 (in FIG. 2) triggered by system events. The vibrator 232 serves asan alarming device indicating a status or event of the bracelet 100 tothe user of the bracelet 100. In one embodiment, the vibrator 232 istriggered by the microcontroller 202 when the battery 204 is below athreshold. For example, when the battery voltage of the battery 204 isbelow a predetermined level, the vibrator 232 is triggered to vibrate bythis system event. The vibrator 232 includes, for example, a smallelectric motor connected to an off-center weight.

New models of automobiles have started to incorporate autopilotfeatures, which allow such cars to self-drive. To control an autopilotenabled vehicle, the bracelet 100 incorporates a Global PositioningSystem (“GPS”) subsystem, which is indicated at 242. The GPS component242 receives signals from GPS satellites, and uses the signals todetermine the physical location of the bracelet 100 using, for example,triangulation. The physical location of the bracelet 100 is alsoregarded as the physical location of the wearer of the bracelet 100, andis expressed in the form of, for example, a set of coordinates (such aslatitude and longitude).

Referring to FIG. 6, a sequence diagram illustrating the process bywhich the bracelet 100 controls a vehicle to drive to the physicallocation of the bracelet 100 is shown and generally indicated at 600. At604, the computer program 502 determines the present physical locationof the bracelet 100 by retrieving it from the GPS 242. At 606, over theRF transceiver 206, the computer program sends the GPS location to avehicle controller 602 within the vehicle operated by the bracelet 100.At 608, the vehicle controller 602 stores the received GPS location in,for example, memory. Accordingly, the vehicle controller 602 obtainsknowledge of the location of the bracelet 100 and its user.

When the user presses the auto-start button 122, at 610, themicrocontroller 202 detects that the button 122 has been pressed. At612, the bracelet 100 sends an auto-start command to the vehicle via theRF transceiver 206. At 614, the vehicle controller 602 receives therequest, and starts the vehicle.

Once the vehicle has started, the user can operate the bracelet 100 tohave the vehicle self-drive to the physical location of the user. Forexample, the button 128 is reprogrammed to direct the vehicle toautopilot. As an additional example, after the vehicle has started,pressing the button 122 and holding it down for a predetermined period(such as three seconds or more) cause the vehicle to autopilot to thephysical location of the user. As still a further example, an additionalbutton is provided to trigger the autopilot feature. To autopilot thevehicle to the location of the bracelet 100, the user presses theautopilot feature button. At 616, the microcontroller 202 detects thepress of the autopilot feature button, which means a request for thevehicle to self-drive to the user's location. At 618, the computerprogram 502 sends the request to the vehicle controller 602. Inresponse, at 620, the vehicle controller 602 autopilots the vehicle tothe physical location of the bracelet 100. It should be noted that theautopilot feature button is not required to practice the presentdisclosure. As further explained below, the autopilot feature can beoperated using voice input.

In a further implementation, the control system 200 further includes avoice recognition system allowing the user to operate the bracelet 100using voice commands, such as “auto start,” “panic”, “open trunk” and“pick me up.” These commands are interpreted as if the buttons 122, 130,132 and the autopilot buttons have been pressed respectively. The voiceinput is entered using a microphone device 252 operatively coupled tothe microcontroller 202. A voice recognition computer program, such asthe computer program 502, retrieves the voice input and performs voicerecognition. The bracelet 100 is configured to accept a name (such as“Javis”) for itself. The name of the bracelet 100 can be configuredduring manufacturing process. Alternatively, the bracelet 100 provides aprocess allowing the user to enter a name of the user's choice. Thevoice command based operation is further illustrated by reference toFIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flowchart depicting a process by which thebracelet 100 receives a voice command and operates the vehicle based onthe voice command is shown and generally indicated at 700. When the userspeaks, at 702, the microphone 252 detects and retrieves the voice, andconverts the voice input into digital format.

At 704, the computer program 502 performs voice recognition on the voiceinput data. At 706, the computer program 502 determines whether the nameof the bracelet 100 is recognized. For example, whether the name “Javis”is spoken at beginning of the voice command is determined. If not, at708, the computer program 502 ignores the voice input and discards it.Otherwise, t 716, the computer program 502 determines whether the voiceinput is from a particular person, such as the user of the key fob 100.In one implementation, the key fob 100 is preconfigured with the voiceof the user speaking the name. In such a case, at 716, the computerprogram 502 compares the preconfigured voice with that recognized at706. If no match is found, at 718, the computer program 502 ignores thevoice input, and may further provides an audio or visual feedbackreflecting the mismatch.

If the user is matched, at 710, the computer program 502 determineswhether a valid command (such as “auto start,” “pick me up” and “opentruck”) is recognized. If not, at 712 the computer program 502 discardsthe voice command input. Otherwise, at 714, the computer program 502sends the recognized command to the vehicle controller 602. For example,when the “pick me up” command is recognized, it is sent to the vehiclecontroller 602 for the vehicle to autopilot to the location of the user.In response, the vehicle self-drives to the GPS location of the bracelet100.

In a further implementation, the key fob 100 incorporates a speaker 262that is operatively coupled to the microcontroller 202. Sound indicatinga current temperature is played out through the speaker 262. Thetemperature reporting process is further shown by reference to FIG. 6.At 652, the vehicle controller 602 determines the current temperatureusing, for example, a thermometer. At 654, the vehicle controller 602sends the temperature to the key fob 100, which receives the temperatureover the RF transceiver 206. At 656, the key fob 656 plays back a soundindicating the temperature through the speaker 262. The sound can becomposed from sound elements. For example, “75 degrees” can be composedfrom sound elements indicating “seventy,” “five” and “degrees.” Itshould be noted that element 656 is optional, and is performed only if aspeaker available.

The key fob 100 can be implemented in different physical forms. Analternate embodiment is shown and illustrated by reference to FIGS. 8and 9. FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a key fob 800, a top viewof which is shown in FIG. 9. The schematic components of the key fob 800can be those included and shown in FIG. 2.

The key fob 800 includes a time display screen 806 (such as the display210), two clock time buttons 808 and 816 (such as the buttons 126-128),a lock button 802 (such as the button 122), a LED 804 (such as the LEG220) beneath the lock button 802, a trunk button 810 (such as the button132), a panic button 812 (such as the button 130), and a pair of latches814. It should be noted that the panic button 812 is also referred toherein as a panic switch. The button 802 is a multi-functional button.The LED 804 lights up around the button 802. When the button 802 ispressed once, it causes a message sent to the vehicle controller 602 tolock the vehicle. In such a case, the LED 804 is turned on in red colorfor a predetermined amount of time, such as two seconds. If the button802 is pressed twice within a predetermined amount of time, such as oneand half seconds, it causes a different message sent to the vehiclecontroller 602 to unlock the vehicle. In such a case, the LED 804 isturned on in green color for a predetermined amount of time, such as twoseconds. If the user walks away from the vehicle with the key fob 800while the vehicle is in an unlocked state, the LED 804 stays in greencolor to remind the user.

If the button 802 is pressed down and held down for a predeterminedamount of time, such as three seconds, the LED 804 then flashes in greencolor; and a message is sent to the vehicle controller 602 to auto-startthe vehicle. If the vehicle has been auto-started for a predeterminedamount of time, such as three minutes, before it is operated fordriving, the vibrator 232 is triggered and the LED 804 flashes in greento remind the user that the vehicle has been auto-started without beingoperated by the user.

The display 806 displays the current time and temperature 820 receivedfrom the vehicle controller 602. The display 806 may also contain thesolar panel 106. When the button 816 is pressed and held down for apredetermined amount of time, such as two seconds, the hour number ofthe current time starts blinking. In such a case, releasing the button816 and pressing it again will cause the hour number changed to adesired hour number. Similarly, the button 808 can be operated to setthe correct minute of the current time. When both the buttons 808 and816 are pressed at the same time or roughly the same time, the screen806 is lightened up to show the current time more clearly. For example,in a dark setting, this feature allows the user to easily see thecurrent time. If both the buttons 808 and 816 are pressed and held downat the same time for a predetermined amount of time, such as fourseconds, the screen 806 is turned off to save battery power. When thebattery level is low, the screen 806 is automatically turned off.

When the button 810 is pressed and held down for a predetermined amountof time, such as three seconds, a message is then sent from the key fob800 to the vehicle controller 602 for open the trunk of the vehicle.When the trunk is open for a predetermined amount of time, such asfifteen minutes, the vehicle controller 602 then sends a message to thekey fob 800. In such a case, the vibrator 232 is triggered to remind theuser the trunk has been open for too long.

When the panic button 812 is pressed, a message is then sent from thekey fob 800 to the vehicle controller 602 for activating the vehiclealarm. In such a case, the vibrator 232 can be optionally triggered. Thetwo latch buttons 814 allow the bracelet 800 to securely wrap around thewrist of the user. When the buttons 814 a pressed, the bracelet 800 canbe unlocked and taken off of the wrist.

Obviously, many additional modifications and variations of the presentdisclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is tobe understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, thedisclosure may be practiced otherwise than is specifically describedabove without departing from the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, the time 140-142 is displayed in differentformat or language. As an additional example, buttons of thisdisclosures can be implemented as switches with binary states. As stilla further example, whenever the key fob 100 or 800 has an errorcondition, the vibrator 232 is turned on and a LED (such as the LED 804)is turned into red color. As a further example, an error systemprocesses certain error conditions, such as, when the vehicle is set forauto-pilot and fails to moves to the user's location due to, forinstance, an incident, out of radius, loss of GPS location, etc.

The foregoing description of the disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Thedescription was selected to best explain the principles of the presentteachings and practical application of these principles to enable othersskilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure in various embodimentsand various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. It should be recognized that the words “a” or “an” areintended to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, anyreference to plural elements shall, where appropriate, include thesingular.

It is intended that the scope of the disclosure not be limited by thespecification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. Inaddition, although narrow claims may be presented below, it should berecognized that the scope of this invention is much broader thanpresented by the claim(s). It is intended that broader claims will besubmitted in one or more applications that claim the benefit of priorityfrom this application. Insofar as the description above and theaccompanying drawings disclose additional subject matter that is notwithin the scope of the claim or claims below, the additional inventionsare not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or moreapplications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bracelet for controlling access to a vehicle,said bracelet comprising: i. a body adapted to wrap around a wrist of auser and having an outside surface, two side surfaces and an insidesurface; ii. a microcontroller disposed within said body; iii. atransceiver disposed within said body for communicating with a vehicleand operatively coupled to said microcontroller; iv. a locking buttonoperatively coupled to said microcontroller, disposed within said bodyand exposed in said outside surface for locking and unlocking saidvehicle; v. a lighting device operatively coupled to saidmicrocontroller and disposed within said body and beneath and aroundsaid locking button; vi. a set of vehicle control buttons operativelycoupled to said microcontroller, disposed within said body and exposedin said side surfaces for controlling access to said vehicle; vii. atiming device operatively coupled to said microcontroller and includinga display, said timing device disposed within said body and operativelycoupled to said microcontroller for displaying a time on said display,said display exposed in said outside surface; and viii. a computerprogram running on said microcontroller, wherein said computer programis adapted to send commands to said vehicle over said transceiver, saidcommands generated in response to operations of said locking button andsaid set of vehicle control buttons, wherein: 1) pressing said lockingbutton causes said vehicle to be locked and said lighting device to beturned on in a first color when said vehicle is unlocked; and 2)pressing said locking button twice within a predetermined amount of timecauses said vehicle to be unlocked and said lighting device to be turnedon in a second color when said vehicle is locked.
 2. The bracelet ofclaim 1, wherein said first color is red and said second color is green.3. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein holding down said locking button fora predetermined amount of time causes said vehicle to be started andsaid lighting device to flash.
 4. The bracelet of claim 1 wherein saidlighting device is turned on in color when said vehicle is on and saidbracelet is away from said vehicle over a predetermined distance.
 5. Thebracelet of claim 1 further comprising a vibrator, wherein said vibratoris turned on and said lighting device flashes when said vehicle has beenturned on for a predetermined amount of time and not moved yet.
 6. Thebracelet of claim 1 wherein said set of vehicle control buttons includesa trunk button wherein holding down said trunk button causes saidvehicle to open a trunk of said vehicle and said vibrator is turned onwhen said trunk has been open over a predetermined amount of time. 7.The bracelet of claim 1 comprising a first time button and a second timebutton operatively coupled to said microcontroller, disposed within saidbody and exposed on said two side surfaces respectively, wherein saidfirst time button is adapted to be used to adjust an hour portion ofsaid time, said second time button is adapted to be used to adjust aminute portion of said time, and pressing said first time button andsaid second time button at a same time causes a backlight of said timingdevice to be turned on.
 8. The bracelet of claim 1 further comprising afirst time button and a second time button operatively coupled to saidmicrocontroller, disposed within said body and exposed on said two sidesurfaces respectively, wherein said first time button is adapted to beused to adjust an hour portion of said time, said second time button isadapted to be used to adjust a minute portion of said time, and pressingsaid first time button and said second time button at a same time andholding down said first time button and said second time button over apredetermined amount of time cause said display to be turned off.